| Premium Platform Combustion | |
| Manufacturer: | Volkswagen Group |
| Production: | 2024–present |
| Predecessor: | MLB platform |
The Premium Platform Combustion (PPC) was developed for the Volkswagen Group under the leadership of Audi. It is considered a further development of the ‘Modularer Längsbaukasten (MLB)’ platform and can therefore be regarded as the third generation of this platform after MLB and MLB Evo. It made its debut in 2024 with the Audi A5 (B10).[1] [2]
The name of the modular platform was chosen in reference to the Premium Platform Electric (PPE), which was developed by Audi and Porsche as an electric-only platform, while the PPC is intended to serve Audi as the last newly developed combustion engine platform. The PPC shares the E³ 1.2 electronics architecture newly developed by Volkswagen subsidiary Cariad with the PPE.[3] Both the PPC and PPE for the premium segment as well as the VW MEB (electric) and MQB Evo (combustion engine) platforms for the volume segment are all to be replaced by the new highly scalable electric-only Scalable Systems Platform (SSP) across all Volkswagen brands from 2029.[4] [5] [6]
The PPC serves exclusively as the basis for vehicles with a longitudinally installed combustion engine in the mid-size and luxury class and front-wheel or all-wheel drive. A special feature of the modular platform is the further developed second-generation mild hybrid, which Audi calls ‘MHEV plus technology’. In addition to the familiar belt starter generator, a new powertrain generator with integrated power electronics is placed on the transmission output shaft. In combination with the 48-volt battery, this enables partially electric driving with up to 18 kW of power and 230 Nm of torque. The powertrain generator recuperates energy back into the battery at up to 25 kW. The battery is positioned above the rear axle and has a separate cooling circuit. Overall, the system is designed to increase the fuel efficiency.[7]
The engines used are 2-litre in-line four-cylinder petrol engines from the EA888 series, 3-litre V6 petrol engines from the EA839 series and 2-litre in-line four-cylinder diesel engines from the EA288 evo series. Only 7-speed dual-clutch gearboxes are used. Manual gearboxes are no longer fitted.[8] Instead of fake tailpipe trims as in the previous generation, only real tailpipes are fitted in response to customer feedback.[9]